Vikings 2012 Season: Gentlemen, We Are Hosed

[dryfly]

So lets say some team eventually goes to LA. What other other cities would be considered for possible future moves?

Orlando and Portland would be two, I would think. Orlando is a separate TV market from Tampa, and, as Tampa-St. Pete is the 13th largest TV market in the country and Orlando is the 19th, means there should be sufficient support there to support a team. Portland is a larger TV market than Indy, Baltimore, Charlotte and San Diego. Orlando has cash from some mouse operation; Portland is a growing city with tech money.

Not that I think they would, but Sacramento would also be larger than Indy, Baltimore, Charlotte and San Diego. But a third team in northern California would probably not fly.

What about Vegas?

Would the stadium have a sports book?

If it were me the Vikings Stadium HERE would have sports book - use that to fund the damned thing. That and legalized paramutual hookers.

[dryfly]

As for other markets... most of those mentioned [above]... Portland, Orlando, Sacto... just not really big enough. They have some corporate money [like Portland w/ Intel & HP and Orlando w/ the Mouse] but risky markets. They would struggle if the team didn't win consistently.

San Antonio maybe - and they could draw from the border [McAllen/Edinborough/Pharr/Brownsville combined] where there is a big and captive corporate community bored to tears much of the year. Been there done that.

Throw in Austin [Horns don't play on Sunday anyway] and you might have a contender.

In short the hot juicy one is LA - after than lots of cold left overs.

[Beauner]

As for other markets... most of those mentioned [above]... Portland, Orlando, Sacto... just not really big enough. They have some corporate money [like Portland w/ Intel & HP and Orlando w/ the Mouse] but risky markets. They would struggle if the team didn't win consistently.

San Antonio maybe - and they could draw from the border [McAllen/Edinborough/Pharr/Brownsville combined] where there is a big and captive corporate community bored to tears much of the year. Been there done that.

Throw in Austin [Horns don't play on Sunday anyway] and you might have a contender.

Not to mention Texas as a state fills up 10,000 seat high school football stadiums every Friday. They love football down there. I'm sure a franchise in San Antonio would be just fine.

[dxmnkd316]

So the bill passed the Senate with less money coming from the Vikings and more from the state...?

[ex_goldy]

Sportsbook at the stadium, that's a great idea. Just bet on NFL games, home or away. TV screens showing all the games, sports bar to the max. Wow the senate passed that quick.

Can someone fix the subject of this thread?

[SouthTexGopher]

As for other markets... most of those mentioned [above]... Portland, Orlando, Sacto... just not really big enough. They have some corporate money [like Portland w/ Intel & HP and Orlando w/ the Mouse] but risky markets. They would struggle if the team didn't win consistently.

San Antonio maybe - and they could draw from the border [McAllen/Edinborough/Pharr/Brownsville combined] where there is a big and captive corporate community bored to tears much of the year. Been there done that.

Throw in Austin [Horns don't play on Sunday anyway] and you might have a contender.

Not to mention Texas as a state fills up 10,000 seat high school football stadiums every Friday. They love football down there. I'm sure a franchise in San Antonio would be just fine.

San Antonio is just a bargaining chip whenever a team wants something from their current city. I've lived in SA for a long time, and we've seen a long line of teams tease us with the prospect of moving here (Vikings, Marlins, Saints, etc).

While it's true the area has the population to support a team (the SA-Austin area has a combined population that's bigger than the Twin Cities metro), there's no way Jerry Jones would allow a team to move here. SA is Cowboys country and JJ makes sure the team has a consistent presence in SA. You don't even see many Texans fans here...and it's much shorter to drive to Houston than it is to Arlington.

[Cardinal]

So the bill passed the Senate with less money coming from the Vikings and more from the state...?

Reading is tough.

In the Senate version, the state would pay $25 million less and the team $25 million more

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_20 ... ans-senate

[dryfly]

San Antonio is just a bargaining chip whenever a team wants something from their current city. I've lived in SA for a long time, and we've seen a long line of teams tease us with the prospect of moving here (Vikings, Marlins, Saints, etc).

While it's true the area has the population to support a team (the SA-Austin area has a combined population that's bigger than the Twin Cities metro), there's no way Jerry Jones would allow a team to move here. SA is Cowboys country and JJ makes sure the team has a consistent presence in SA. You don't even see many Texans fans here...and it's much shorter to drive to Houston than it is to Arlington.

I get it - am there pretty often [was in the region last week]. People here don't understand how big a potential market SA/Austin is ... then add in the border [and they will drive up to escape spending another weekend there] ... that makes for one pretty large population base.

I hear ya wrt the Cowboys but if SA gets the nod Jones would just have to deal with it. If the new owners played it right they could have a pretty nice rivalry going among those three cities.

After LA that would be my #2 pick.

[SouthTexGopher]

People here don't understand how big a potential market SA/Austin is ... then add in the border [and they will drive up to escape spending another weekend there] ... that makes for one pretty large population base.

It's certainly a huge market - especially with the areas south of SA included. It's only a 2-3 hour drive to the border (depending on whether you go west or south) from my house. It's only 2.5 hours to Corpus Christi. If the region is looked at as a whole, it's certainly something that could support a team many times over.

I still think there's no chance Jerry Jones would give up the revenue he gets out of SA.

...and the Vikings (thank God) aren't moving, anyway.

[Handyman]

Jones would get bribed into it...he knows the Cowboys will never be anything but #1 in Texas so the League/New Team will pay him a wonderful fee and he will turn his blind eye to it.

Imagine the irony of the Vikes moving there after the McCombs fiasco...

[sagard]

Reading is tough.

True. Not a @#$% one of these politicians who voted "Y" have read a book on the subject. When you factor in the Senate gives the naming rights back to the Vikings entirely, I don't see why they didn't just take the Vikings offer and pass it.

The House bill was more than fair and despite Bagley's whine, the Vikes would have taken it. This Senate bill should have been tougher than the House, but those fools just put another $50-$75 million into the Wilf's account.

[dryfly]

So is it a done deal yet? I have a short attention span. TIA...

[gopherguy13]

So is it a done deal yet? I have a short attention span. TIA...

It has to go through a conference committee, which apparently is populated with mostly stadium supporters. Then the finalized bill is voted on in both houses again. If both those votes pass it's off to the Gov's desk for his signature.

From what I understand, the Vikings getting a stadium is looking much more likely than it was just a few days ago. I'm confident that the committee will draft a bill that both houses will approve (please.)

[Beauner]

So is it a done deal yet? I have a short attention span. TIA...

It has to go through a conference committee, which apparently is populated with mostly stadium supporters. Then the finalized bill is voted on in both houses again. If both those votes pass it's off to the Gov's desk for his signature.

From what I understand, the Vikings getting a stadium is looking much more likely than it was just a few days ago. I'm confident that the committee will draft a bill that both houses will approve (please.)

They were saying on KFAN today that it's probably 95% to get approved by Friday morning.

[dxmnkd316]

So the bill passed the Senate with less money coming from the Vikings and more from the state...?

Reading is tough.

In the Senate version, the state would pay $25 million less and the team $25 million more

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_20 ... ans-senate

The original strib story had the senate version about $60 million less from the Vikings. So kindly screw yourself.

[Snowcool08]

The finalized bill that will be debated (without amendments) and voted on by both the House and Senate is released. The bill calls for $477M from the Vikings, up from the original $427M, and $498M from the State/City coming from e-pulltabs and user fees.

My completely uneducated guess is that this bill will pass in both the House and Senate and it will be up to the Vikings to fork over the extra $50M from what they originally agreed upon with the governor's office. Pro Football Talk has suggested that the $427M that the Vikings originally offered was more of a low-ball offer and they expected more money to be added at some point. They're not going to be happy about it, but I think they'll pay it. If they don't, there will be a lot of PO'd people.

[Snowcool08]

Double Post! The Vikings have stated that they agree to the terms of the new bill. If the House and Senate pass it sometime on Thursday, there will be a new stadium.

[Handyman]

According to KFAN FB page the Vikes have already agreed to the bill so if/when it passes the final vote the deal is done.

edit: snow beat me but I dont care.

[Bertogliat]

And if you have not seen it yet, the house already approved the compromised deal. The senate cannot take up the bill until just before 1pm. They should vote between 2 and 3 pm today.

[Cardinal]

So the bill passed the Senate with less money coming from the Vikings and more from the state...?

Reading is tough.

In the Senate version, the state would pay $25 million less and the team $25 million more

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_20 ... ans-senate

The original strib story had the senate version about $60 million less from the Vikings. So kindly screw yourself.

Yeah, I'm sure they got the biggest fact from the story wrong, not that you misread it, dipsh*t.

[Bertogliat]

So the bill passed the Senate with less money coming from the Vikings and more from the state...?

Reading is tough.

In the Senate version, the state would pay $25 million less and the team $25 million more

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_20 ... ans-senate

The original strib story had the senate version about $60 million less from the Vikings. So kindly screw yourself.

Yeah, I'm sure they got the biggest fact from the story wrong, not that you misread it, dipsh*t.

Oh no you di'int!

[dxmnkd316]

So the bill passed the Senate with less money coming from the Vikings and more from the state...?

Reading is tough.

In the Senate version, the state would pay $25 million less and the team $25 million more

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_20 ... ans-senate

The original strib story had the senate version about $60 million less from the Vikings. So kindly screw yourself.

Yeah, I'm sure they got the biggest fact from the story wrong, not that you misread it, dipsh*t.

The Vikings new share of the $1 billion stadium was set at more than the $427 million the team had agreed to earlier this spring, but less than the $532 million the House voted in favor of two nights ago. The Senate had earlier voted to have the team pay $452 million plus agree to a series of user fees.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/sta ... 78485.html

How do you read that?

New pay plan
Revised construction cost breakdown for the roofed stadium as proposed by Senate:

Vikings: $452 million ($532 million in House plan)

State: $373 million ($293 million in House plan)

Or that?

http://www.startribune.com/local/150720165.html

[gopherguy13]

Final bill passed the House. Now just the Senate is left

[Zwak]

Here's a breakdown of the final bill awaiting approval by the senate.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_20588843/vikings-deal

One of the items in the final bill is St. Paul gets $2.7 million a year for 20 years. They will likely use this to build a new Saints stadium in lowertown.

[PrideOnIce]

So the bill passed the Senate with less money coming from the Vikings and more from the state...?

Reading is tough.

In the Senate version, the state would pay $25 million less and the team $25 million more

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_20 ... ans-senate

The original strib story had the senate version about $60 million less from the Vikings. So kindly screw yourself.

Yeah, I'm sure they got the biggest fact from the story wrong, not that you misread it, dipsh*t.

The Vikings new share of the $1 billion stadium was set at more than the $427 million the team had agreed to earlier this spring, but less than the $532 million the House voted in favor of two nights ago. The Senate had earlier voted to have the team pay $452 million plus agree to a series of user fees.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/sta ... 78485.html

How do you read that?

New pay plan
Revised construction cost breakdown for the roofed stadium as proposed by Senate:

Vikings: $452 million ($532 million in House plan)

State: $373 million ($293 million in House plan)

Or that?

http://www.startribune.com/local/150720165.html

How do you read that? Or that? Well obviously "DX is a DipSH**T"

[Zwak]

Another interesting part of the deal. The Vikings must buy any un-sold non premium tickets for .34 on the dollar, thus ensuring no blackouts.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... after-all/

[gopher6]

Another interesting part of the deal. The Vikings must buy any un-sold non premium tickets for .34 on the dollar, thus ensuring no blackouts.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... after-all/

[dryfly]

Here's a breakdown of the final bill awaiting approval by the senate.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_20588843/vikings-deal

One of the items in the final bill is St. Paul gets $2.7 million a year for 20 years. They will likely use this to build a new Saints stadium in lowertown.

Well then something good came out of all this...

[/snark]

[dryfly]

Another interesting part of the deal. The Vikings must buy any un-sold non premium tickets for .34 on the dollar, thus ensuring no blackouts.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... after-all/

If they can't move tickets at >.34 cents on the dollar [in some kind of package deal] they deserve to go broke.

I am guessing that is a nothingburger for the Vikings.

[dryfly]

Glad they are going to stay even though at the end of the day I am still pretty sure the funding mechanism will be proven inadequate and state tax payers will have to pony up something [might be buried in other accounts so not obvious]...

Regardless I thought I'd throw this last nugget out on why San Antonio is NOT an idle threat to get a team [like ours if we didn't pass the bill]:

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp ... _id=117728

Talks about the impact from current oil/gas efforts in Eagle Ford formation just SW of San Antonio. Its somewhat like what is happening out on the Bakken only now imagine it a couple hours drive from the Twin Cities instead of a days drive out [like the Bakken is for us].

Somebody is going to tap into that money and soon. I wish it was me.

[Cardinal]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

[team22tank]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

He yapps so much there is probably a post by him predicting they stay .

[gopherguy13]

So it says the Mpls city council still has to vote on it. Didn't know that. I thought it went straight to Dayton's desk.

To the more informed than I: Is there ANY chance that they would not approve this? Or is it pretty much a formality at this point?

[ScoobyDoo]

So it says the Mpls city council still has to vote on it. Didn't know that. I thought it went straight to Dayton's desk.

To the more informed than I: Is there ANY chance that they would not approve this? Or is it pretty much a formality at this point?

Ryback says he has the votes in the council. Considered a formality.

[Chris83]

Does anyone have the specifics on the proposed upgrades to TCF Stadium for the time the Vikings will be playing there? I had heard heating the field and adding seats; is that correct? Assuming the Prep Bowl will be played at TCF as well starting in 2013.

[gopherguy13]

So it says the Mpls city council still has to vote on it. Didn't know that. I thought it went straight to Dayton's desk.

To the more informed than I: Is there ANY chance that they would not approve this? Or is it pretty much a formality at this point?

Ryback says he has the votes in the council. Considered a formality.

[sunbone]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

It would have been funny if they would have left. But I'm glad they stayed because now I will have probably 30 more years of laughing at them as they find even more creative ways to not win a Super Bowl.

[rowshkex]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

It would have been funny if they would have left. But I'm glad they stayed because now I will have probably 30 more years of laughing at them as they find even more creative ways to not win a Super Bowl.

[Tee09]

Now we'll never know for sure about the Vikings rose bowl curse. They should have left just to be sure.

[Jupiter]

ZIggy caught celebrating this afternoon....

[sec 16 row16 seat 16 17]

now that's funny JUPITER.

[Kelor]

It's very funny, but man is it a sad truism.

[Slap Shot]

It's amazing how quickly this went from not happening to being a 95% certainty.

[Viking]

Am I the only one who was never concerned about the Vikings leaving because the stadium issue was going to be hashed out?

I never thought for 1 minute in this whole process that it would not get worked out.

[Handyman]

It's amazing how quickly this went from not happening to being a 95% certainty.

I honestly think they figured the people would not rally about it and they would support not helping "billionaire owners" figuring the threats werent real. The second the Commissioner showed up to the Legislature and basically said "build it or they are out" and the fans started calling Reps/Senators (which it seems they did in high amounts) things changed.

No one wanted to be on record as someone who helped the team move if the fans were behind the stadium. Those that voted "No" now were like the Gophers in the BTHC hockey deal...they knew it didnt matter so vote "No" to make a point.

I hate that the Vikes will play at TCF...

[Tee09]

I hope the new AD just extorts the hell out of them if at all possible. I don't want to see one bit of purple in my stadium though.

[Handyman]

I hope the new AD just extorts the hell out of them if at all possible. I don't want to see one bit of purple in my stadium though.

Damned right...TCF is the home of the Gophers not the Vikes and it should stay that way. On Sunday/Monday they can have temp stuff but it is taken out that night. Come Tuesday it is All Maroon and Gold and nothing else.

As for what will be added, my guess is the beer garden will be charged to the Vikes as will heating coils and all the work put in to make it NFL ready for game day. I doubt they will add permanent seats since TCF doesnt sell out now. I would bet they will also pay to upgrade all concessions and perhaps the sound system since you cant hear the band in half the stadium due to lack of Mics.

[beersong]

You sure can hear the annoying announcer though when "IT'S THIRD DOWN AND FIVE TO GO!!!!" followed by incredibly lame bass pounding out the speakers.

[Tee09]

I hope the new AD just extorts the hell out of them if at all possible. I don't want to see one bit of purple in my stadium though.

Damned right...TCF is the home of the Gophers not the Vikes and it should stay that way. On Sunday/Monday they can have temp stuff but it is taken out that night. Come Tuesday it is All Maroon and Gold and nothing else.

As for what will be added, my guess is the beer garden will be charged to the Vikes as will heating coils and all the work put in to make it NFL ready for game day. I doubt they will add permanent seats since TCF doesnt sell out now. I would bet they will also pay to upgrade all concessions and perhaps the sound system since you cant hear the band in half the stadium due to lack of Mics.

I think not being able to hear the band is due to them deciding to point the band right out the open end. Please don't mic them up again.

Are the heating coils a done deal? Or do they just schedule the Vikings to miss home games at the end of that season? But yes, gimme free stuff.

I also hope that the Vikings establish a precedent that the U can follow of not giving a sh!t what the "neighborhood organizations" think about noise and tailgating surrounding a few football gamedays per year.

[dryfly]

It's very funny, but man is it a sad truism.

Quit whining - its only money. Lots and lots of money.

[dryfly]

It's amazing how quickly this went from not happening to being a 95% certainty.

Kudos to them that called it from the get go - every time I think I've hit the limit of cynicism something like this happens and I learn the dial goes to eleven.

[dryfly]

I hope the new AD just extorts the hell out of them if at all possible. I don't want to see one bit of purple in my stadium though.

Damned right...TCF is the home of the Gophers not the Vikes and it should stay that way. On Sunday/Monday they can have temp stuff but it is taken out that night. Come Tuesday it is All Maroon and Gold and nothing else.

As for what will be added, my guess is the beer garden will be charged to the Vikes as will heating coils and all the work put in to make it NFL ready for game day. I doubt they will add permanent seats since TCF doesnt sell out now. I would bet they will also pay to upgrade all concessions and perhaps the sound system since you cant hear the band in half the stadium due to lack of Mics.

And lots of beer...

[dxmnkd316]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

Hilarious. Not sure if you're that stupid or have ACTUAL reading comprehension problems. There is an ocean of difference between "I predict the Vikings will leave" and "I'm going to laugh when the Vikings leave". But then again you completely ignored the part where I correct about the strib.

Keep representing GPL in such a professional manner.

[dxmnkd316]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

It would have been funny if they would have left. But I'm glad they stayed because now I will have probably 30 more years of laughing at them as they find even more creative ways to not win a Super Bowl.

This is pretty much how I feel about the entire situation.

[Armadillo]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

Hilarious. Not sure if you're that stupid or have ACTUAL reading comprehension problems. There is an ocean of difference between "I predict the Vikings will leave" and "I'm going to laugh when the Vikings leave". But then again you completely ignored the part where I correct about the strib.

Keep representing GPL in such a professional manner.

So who represents GPL more: the guy who writes for them and has press passes, or the guy who's the post leader by a country mile?

[dryfly]

You all might mock me but I received a bunch of 'congratulations' from Packer fans on 'our' new stadium... I kid you not. They can't wait to come see 'Your Green Bay Packers' there. One of their favorite road trips - right up there with Soldier Field.

One guy I was with last week on a business trip to Houston & South Texas kept telling me it was going to happen because it was important 'for the league' that the Packers have places nearby to play since they sell arenas out and create buzz for the league.

I about wanted to scream...

[The Rube]

Am I the only one who was never concerned about the Vikings leaving because the stadium issue was going to be hashed out?

I never thought for 1 minute in this whole process that it would not get worked out.

*raises hand*

I never had a doubt.

[gopheritall]

Won't this create a ton of travel costs for the LA Vikings to keep flying to Minneapolis to play?

[streakygopher]

So, if its going to get built on the dome site we're looking at the Vikings playing in TCF for a couple years? If they do that what improvements will be made to TCF to accommodate the purple?

That would be a huge benny for the local establishments on Sunday.....and create chaos for hockey and basketball on the same day.

[davescharf]

Am I the only one who was never concerned about the Vikings leaving because the stadium issue was going to be hashed out?

I never thought for 1 minute in this whole process that it would not get worked out.

*raises hand*

I never had a doubt.

I figured it would get done. Now we get to stop listening to the soap opera, which is by far the best part of the deal.

[gopherguy13]

Am I the only one who was never concerned about the Vikings leaving because the stadium issue was going to be hashed out?

I never thought for 1 minute in this whole process that it would not get worked out.

*raises hand*

I never had a doubt.

Same here.

I might have had a few "doubts", but I was never really concerned that they would leave.

[Cardinal]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

Hilarious. Not sure if you're that stupid or have ACTUAL reading comprehension problems. There is an ocean of difference between "I predict the Vikings will leave" and "I'm going to laugh when the Vikings leave". But then again you completely ignored the part where I correct about the strib.

Keep representing GPL in such a professional manner.

So the same asshat who couldn't comprehend an article on the Star Tribune is now questioning other people's reading ability? Gotcha.

Hope to see you sitting by yourself at more Gopher games in the future. Speaks volumes. Keep padding that post count, bud.

[streakygopher]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when this team leaves. Oh well.

Whoops.

Hilarious. Not sure if you're that stupid or have ACTUAL reading comprehension problems. There is an ocean of difference between "I predict the Vikings will leave" and "I'm going to laugh when the Vikings leave". But then again you completely ignored the part where I correct about the strib.

Keep representing GPL in such a professional manner.

So the same asshat who couldn't comprehend an article on the Star Tribune is now questioning other people's reading ability? Gotcha.

Hope to see you sitting by yourself at more Gopher games in the future. Speaks volumes. Keep padding that post count, bud.

Are you two married?

[Tee09]

Can you feel... the love... tonight?

[Armadillo]

Cardinal and dx, sittin' in a tree...

[Tee09]

It's OK dudes. The President's cool with you guys now.

[The Rube]

[rowshkex]

Too much fighting about misinformation, not enough arguing about who should fund the stadium!

[g_manpucker]

Thanks for this Rube...I am now cleaning off my screen on my laptop! Too.Fricking.Funny.

[gopher wes]

You all might mock me but I received a bunch of 'congratulations' from Packer fans on 'our' new stadium... I kid you not. They can't wait to come see 'Your Green Bay Packers' there. One of their favorite road trips - right up there with Soldier Field.

One guy I was with last week on a business trip to Houston & South Texas kept telling me it was going to happen because it was important 'for the league' that the Packers have places nearby to play since they sell arenas out and create buzz for the league.

I about wanted to scream...

Are you kidding? It isn't even a road trip for half of those idiots because the ers all live in the Twin Cities.

Makes me sick to my stomach.....

[Bertogliat]

$3 million to the school for 2 years is good money. And it will be a lot of extra money to the businesses in the area that suffered through the light rail construction. And it will bring people to TCF Bank stadium that would not otherwise go. Hopefully that means more interest, even if just a little.

This is a good thing for the athletic department.

It will be interesting to see how the handle basketball and hockey on game days.

[Slap Shot]

This may also make it more difficult for Peckers fans to obtain tickets when they play here? At least for a few years anyway.

[Kelor]

So they could have rented TCF for $1.5/year, but instead we built them a stadium for $1/2 a billion.

Makes sense.

[Don Adams Wheel of Justice]

It will be interesting to see how the handle basketball and hockey on game days.

Considering the NFL plays on Sundays and college hockey plays on Friday and Saturday, I'd say it's a moot point. The current policy prohibits other sports from playing at home on the same day as a Gopher home football game. I'd say that's likely to continue should a conflict arise.

[Don Adams Wheel of Justice]

So they could have rented TCF for $1.5/year, but instead we built them a stadium for $1/2 a billion.

Makes sense.

You can't be serious.